Wow

That's one fucking annoying commercial Staples is running now. Anyone else think that instead of joining in with Mr. Breathdownyourneckwhileshouting 'WowThatsALowPrice', you'd instead say 'Get the fuck away from me, you fucking annoying bastard fuckwit'?.

No? Just me? Kthanxbye.

My Sentiments Exactly

Wrong Things Are Wrong

The Phoebe Prince bullying case: As someone who was bullied, I can tell you from first-hand experience that the general advice those who are bullied get, such as 'Ignore them, they'll go away', or 'Stand up for yourself, bullies are really cowards', is bullshit. Why should the person being bullied have to do the work to correct another's behavior? Too many teachers, coaches, adults in general turn a blind eye to this behavior, to everyone's detriment.

Part of it, I think, is the term 'bully' conjures up some overgrown kid who regularly takes some other kid's lunch money, under threat of a punch. I get the feeling from news reports the kids who are charged in this case are well thought of, good students, kids who have never been in any real trouble.

I can't help but think it's the Catch 22 of bullying. They've probably been 'teasing' other kids for years, with no repercussions. Why wouldn't they think it's okay to dehumanize this girl with their words.

There Is Nothing Amusing

in the least about people who believe it's acceptable to fax renderings of nooses to congressional offices. That is sick, twisted behavior that has no place in decent society.

What is peripherally amusing is the likelihood these ignoramuses (ignorami?) are doing this from their work fax machines. And that things like this are easily traced through originating phone numbers, etc.

What will be genuinely amusing will be the video of the FBI showing up at Consolidated Amalgamated Inc.* to question/arrest the perpatrator. Hopefully management will have the wherewithal to shove the pink slip into said perp's manacled hands as they are escorted out.

*Actually, the real amusement/schadenfreude will be for the FBI to show up at some city/state/federally funded worksite to 'interview' suspects. Because we all know it's probably some idiot public employee who finds this 'government overreach' the most egregious and does not in the least grasp the concept of cognitive dissonance.

I See Trees of Green

red roses too.

Plus a plethora of birdies singing in the sunrise.

The children in my community are getting a new elementary school, thanks to voters who can see past today, and tomorrow; who have a vision for the future of this community.

It's a wonderful world.

Good Morning World

It's absolutely beautiful out. The weather forecasters say mostly cloudy with a chance of misty rain. There is not a cloud in the blue sky, the sun is shining down on the profusion of green. All in all, the perfect example of an early Spring day in the South.

The camellia bushes have bloomed, and there are buds on the azaleas and the confederate roses. I drove past a patch of cheery little daylilies yesterday and the sight of them made my day.

I'm off to DC in a couple of weeks. The conference hotel is the Omni Shoreham, where you walk out the back door and head about 3-4 blocks to get to the National Zoo. Yay Pandas! Although the baby has gone back to China, the 'rents are still there. Can't hardly wait.

Plus I'm taking the train. Le Boyfriend is mightily jealous. I've promised I'd bring the tickets home so he can fondle them, but he says that would just be cruel. We'd like to do a real DC tourist trip ourselves one day soon and will likely travel by train to do it. $86 one way from here to there. And the station is seven miles away. The only downside is having to meet the train at 2 a.m., but that's not enough to ruin the experience.

All in all, life is pretty good.

Hello

lonely little space. I think of you often, with guilt and despair. Alas, the creativity muscle has not flexed, with the exception of pounding out grant applications one after the other these past two months or so.

We will think of Spring, as we should, as a rebirth of sorts. Where shall we go? On flights of fancy? Make this a little outpost of whimsy and distraction in the noisy space that is the Internet? It's worth the attempt.

I am not saying I will try. Yoda (great philosopher that he is) said 'Do or do not. There is no try.' So I resolve to do.

Happy

Chinese New Year!

Turns out I am a Yang Wood Tiger, and as best as I can tell from Chinese astrology predictions on the intertoobz, this will be a somewhat up-and-down year for me.

Way to hedge your bets, guys.

Snow Update

We measured and it looks about five inches in the front yard. It's already melting off, although it will be awhile before we can move the cars. I see a bubbly pot of vegetable soup for supper.

Snow!

Lots of it. Started around three and is forecast to continue through midnight. We'll get some pics in the morning and post. Y'all stay warm.

Super Bowl

Yay for the Saints! They outplayed, and outfoxed the Colts, all the way around.

The commercials: The ones that didn't suck outright were uniformly unfunny, violent, and jaw-droppingly misogynistic. A man that goes shopping with his wife/girlfriend has no spine? WTF? Did we time-travel to 1972 or something?

The halftime show: How does a band get so bad they butcher their own music? It would have been more entertaining if Pete Townshend had gone down with a broken hip. A case where time-traveling to 1972 would have been an improvement.

The announcers: Uttered gems such as these-'they've practiced really hard for this game'. Really?! Sentient insight there, fellas. /snerk.

Hints

There's a little more green, and a few buds of new life to be found on the trees and shrubs around here, a hint of the Spring to come.

It's been a really cold Winter for these parts, with a lot of rain. But there are other hints of the new season to come. Such as pitchers and catchers reporting in 11 days. And Daylight Saving Time rolls in on March 14th. The change is already noticeable, with daylight creeping in a bit earlier every day and creeping back out a bit later in the afternoon.

Knocking out a few chores here around the house this morning, and we'll be tuning in to the big game tonight. While this is an all-Peyton, all the time time house (SO is a Vol through and through), I can't help but root Geaux Saints!

Neglect

Thy name is the purveyor of this ole blog. I'm tempted to take it dark, but can't quite bring myself to do it.

Maybe it's just the winter blahs, I don't know. I've had the notion to write about a few things that caught my eye, like the rather misogynistic stuff about both Elizabeth Edwards and Sarah Palin that appears rife in Game Change. But I can't seem to get the brain to settle down and organize the thoughts.

It's cold and rainy here today-supposed to rain all day long. I'm fixing soup in the crockpot and tackling a pile of laundry. The excitement is overwhelming.

Reading List

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers.

Just read it. Because any words I would/could use to describe it would be inadequate.

Happy New Year

Here's hoping for the best of a new year and new decade.